Compositions and Methods for Treating Inflammation Associated with IL-6

Abstract

A nutritional supplement that includes fish oil and selenium in the form of selenium yeast in amounts effective to reduce inflammation, in particular inflammation associated with expression of IL-6, is described. Formulations for such a nutritional supplement and its use in treating inflammation are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for treating inflammation, comprising:
 aa nutritional supplement comprising fish oil and selenium in an amount effective to treat inflammation in an individual in need of treatment for inflammation.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional supplement comprises from 150 mg to 10,000 mg fish oil. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional supplement comprises from 30 mcg to 4,000 mcg selenium in the form of selenium yeast. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional supplement comprises from 150 mg to 10,000 mg fish oil and from 30 mcg to 4,000 mcg selenium in the form of selenium yeast. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of fish oil and selenium provided by the nutritional supplement is effective to reduce IL-6. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein inflammation the individual in need of treatment is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional supplement comprises ingredients as listed in “Table 1”. 
     
     
         8 . A method of treating inflammation, comprising administering an effective amount of the composition of  claim 1  to an individual in need of treatment for inflammation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the individual in need of treatment has cancer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the effective amount reduces IL-6 in the individual in need of treatment. 
     
     
         11 . A method of reducing IL-6 expression, comprising administering an effective amount of the composition of  claim 1  to an individual in need of treatment for inflammation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the individual in need of treatment has cancer.  m. and fish oil in inhibiting proliferation of the cancer cell.